I think I'm coming back, somewhat, to something I left behind a long time ago when I began to grow up. When I was more of a dreamer than was good for me, I remember myself being more the gentleman than I am now. I guess I got caught up in the thought that everyone on Earth except me believed chivalry was dead, so that the burden of reviving chivalry rested on my shoulders alone. It was arrogant of me, and now that I've been around a while longer, I can see how wrong I was. The world, and especially the SCA, is absolutely stuffed with people for whom chivalry is their entire way of life. When I discovered this, I suppose I began to relax more and have fun. Too much of that got me into relationship problems and lots of drama in my social life. Now, here I am: older, in love, and relatively drama-free. Perhaps now is the time when I can attempt to temper my informality with the gentle reverance of chivalry again.
Last night, Mike, Liza, Billy and I had an Indiana Jones marathon in anticipation of the fourth movie coming out in May. Again, we all agreed that the last one is the best one. At the end, the Grail Knight reminded me of Sir Thomas of Aylesbury. In the above photograph, taken at Uther and Kenna's Coronation ceremony last year, he is the Templar staning next to me, holding his sword. After the ceremony, many people commented on how cool he looked, but Caedmon came up to him and said "We should have asked you to go up to someone with a goblet and say 'You have chosen...poorly.' " Sir Thomas, being a man of good humor, laughed and said he would have done it, if anyone had thought of it soon enough.
The reason I bring him up is because my search for a knight to become a squire to continues, and seeing the movie brought him to mind again. It would be very cool, I think, if he, as a Templar, took me, another Templar, as a squire...but I hesitate to ask any knight to be their squire outright. Such a boldness would be rude of me, I think. Another reason I hesitate is because though I like Sir Thomas very much, I know very little of him, save for that he is a close personal friend of Uther and Kenna's. I have no idea what his fighting style is like, if he desires to take a squire at this point, or if he even fights anymore. I don't suppose it's really practical to think of becoming his squire...but still, the dream will not leave, and I don't know why.
I think Gulf Wars got to me a lot, too. Gulf Wars always does something to me. Serving on entourage for this reign really drove home how happy I get when I am serving. Mike, Liza, and Billy, God bless them eternally, taught me what it really means to be there for friends, and this was only their first or second event! I will never forget the kindness shown to me and so many others by so many people.
Now that the Grand Exhibition Tournament has passed, I'm going to be getting back into fighting more, too. I will never abandon archery. In many ways, I AM a bow. Simple enough to look at and understand, but put me under stress and I may surprise you! The longbow is my first love, one of my life's passions, and it will always be with me. But my dream, one of my life's goals since childhood, has always been to become a knight, and I can't do that with my bow.
Watching Drogo's vigil reminded me that there is more to knighthood than good combat, too. Matter of fact, of the knights whom Gleann Abhann has made, none of them had ever become king before their knighthood, and I can think of many other knights who have never won Crown List. This proves that skill alone is not what makes a man a knight.
They are warriors, leaders and servants all rolled up into one. On the tournament fields, they are brave enough to step onto it, clever enough to think on their feet, quick enough to strike at the right opportunity, and strong enough to carry it home. On the field of battle, they are inspiring enough to lead the men and women they command, obedient enough to receive the orders given to them from their Crown, and capable enough to carry them out effectively.
Off the fields, they are courteous to anyone and everyone they meet, always lending helping hands, ever kind enough to think of others before themselves.
First was Francois Duvant, who founded a dynasty of chivalry the world could never have anticipated. One of his squires was Beorn Collenferth, who squired Phelan Cathaoir-Mor, who squired Merwyyd of Effington, my household father, and Manfred von Rothenburg, who squired William Fitzhugh de Cambria, who will be the next (sixth) king of Gleann Abhann. But Francois's more famous squire was John the Bearkiller, who won Crown List on five separate occasions, and has taught and led men in combat for more than thirty years, and whose name is now recognized literally around the entire world. One of his squires was Lee Fribrand who has now become a legend, whose style is now the most copied style of fighting in the SCA, and whose name is now whispered with reverance as a man whose chivalry and kindness was, and still is, without equal. One of Lee's squires was Michael of the Mace, who has squired Caedmon of Jorvik and Katil, the lady who first got me into the SCA. Another of Lee's squires was mighty Luther von Ziemer, whose glaive is feared more than any other's in the kingdom, and who is the older brother to another of John the Bearkiller's squires, Uther von Ziemer, first knight of Gleann Abhann, and it's fifth king. I have already spoken of what I think of Uther, and I will not repeat the entire diatribe here; only that he is still everything I long to be in a knight, and the best fighter I have ever seen. To be his squire would be the pinnacle of honors, the highest I have ever received...but I think it is not to be. That also, is covered in an earlier post. Another of John's squires was Padruig dubh Cloghad, third king of Gleann Abhann, as well as Rey Ribeaument, Thomas of Aylesbury, and Andras Salamandra, who squired Lawrence of Ashana, who squired Gareth le Bruin, who famously gave up the white belt of knighthood.
There are others known around the SCA. Sir Trudy, the first female knight, and Sir Paul Bellatrix, who has sons and even grandsons by blood who have become dukes (someone who has won Crown List twice or more) were both at Gulf Wars, and Sir Trudy even wore my sword during Great Court. There are many other dynasties, too, such as that of Kane Redfeather, who squired many, such as Rashid ibn Hilal (who squired Sa'ad ibn Yusuf al Hilal and Dagan al Rashid ibn Hilal) Tar Radu, first king of Gleann Abhann, Loric Silvestris, Brian Mac Brand, and Stephan Wolfe, who squired Caillin Macleod, Elazar of Northumbria, Eric of Chester (who squired Uric Blackoak) and Aengus Mac Owein (who squired Seth of Newcastle).
These are but only a few of the men and women whose ranks I long to be counted among. They ARE chivalry. They are my dream.
They are soldiers.
They are heroes.
They are knights.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Fun Shenanigan Flop
Well, it was meant to be more than it turned out to be, but it was still good! I had the costume, complete with cereal box, Josh turned up to film it, and there were maybe seven or eight other people there to chase me, including Billy, Mike, Emily Thrash, with her boyfriend Greg, a girl named Mellie, and a Theater major named William.
We all gathered at the breezeway between the Music and Theater Buildings and prepped everyone, saying the idea was to CHASE me, not CATCH me. The original intention was to run all the way down to Walker Avenue, but we barely ended up getting past the library! I'll be posting the whole thing on YouTube on Friday.
In retrospect, I think I can see what we needed to improve on. For one thing, I should have gotten permission for this much sooner so that I could start spreading the publicity for it much sooner, and thus have drawn a larger crowd. Secondly, I think I'll have someone I know make the costume for me, rather than dropping $60 for a costume I used once and must now return. Other than that, I think the only things are to get in better shape and actually scream "They're after me Lucky Charms!" as I'm running by the camera, instead of too early for the camera to hear.
Here's to next year! See you all then!
We all gathered at the breezeway between the Music and Theater Buildings and prepped everyone, saying the idea was to CHASE me, not CATCH me. The original intention was to run all the way down to Walker Avenue, but we barely ended up getting past the library! I'll be posting the whole thing on YouTube on Friday.
In retrospect, I think I can see what we needed to improve on. For one thing, I should have gotten permission for this much sooner so that I could start spreading the publicity for it much sooner, and thus have drawn a larger crowd. Secondly, I think I'll have someone I know make the costume for me, rather than dropping $60 for a costume I used once and must now return. Other than that, I think the only things are to get in better shape and actually scream "They're after me Lucky Charms!" as I'm running by the camera, instead of too early for the camera to hear.
Here's to next year! See you all then!
Monday, March 17, 2008
Disappointment, Lessons, and the Future
Wow, so much to blog about!
Hi, guys! I'm back! Gulf Wars was, as always, amazing! You pull onto site and you're back in time 800 years!
After I trolled in and said hello to friends I had not seen in a while, I checked in with entourage to let them know I was on site, then went to find a place to camp. I am NEVER coming to War without pre-registering again! The only open camping was all the way at the end of the world, on a slope. Not a bad one, but enough. After that, I parked my car and began to wander, looking for more friends, most of which I found.
This rest of War is one big blur. I was told early on that I had qualified for the Grand Exhibition Tournament, and that made my blood race, let me tell you! The contest was the day after I got there (arrived Wednesday evening) so the next morning, I bit the bullet and dropped $75 for new arrows. The ones I had were good, but they were ash, and I've been wanting something faster, for the sake of accuracy. Then I went to start practicing, after I had taken care of my throne duties.
The bridge battle that day ran way overtime, but that was to be expected. The contest was after it. I was one out of eleven who were competing with handbows (and I'm pretty sure mine was the only longbow, but I can't exactly remember) and there were two crossbow shooters. There were three others shooters from Gleann Abhann, two of whom I knew I could beat. Before the contest started, Her Majesty called us four over and gave us each a token for us to bear in the contest. I also had my lady's favor.
Right away, we could all tell that the one everyone else would have to beat was the man from Trimaris. I held my own, but I was so excited that my heart was pounding, and my head just wasn't in the game. I should have done much better than I did.
After the initial rounds, the scores were tallied, and the top three archers had a shootoff. Another GA archer and I tied for third, there was another GA archer in second, and the Trimarian was first. The shootoff followed as thus: The four of us went to the line to shoot the targets man by man. The first one to reach 24 points won the Tournament. Since the Trimarian had the most points, he got the first shot, then Daffyd, then Egill, then me. After we had all shot 5 arrows, we tallied the scores...and I was in the lead. I had 16 points, the Trimarian had 14, Daffyd had 12, and Egill had 10.
I could win this tournament with my next shot! All I had to do was nail the bull's eye, worth 8 points. The ring outside that was worth 4, and anything outside that was worth 2.
We went back to the line. The Trimarian shot and scored 2. That put him at 16. Now the pressure was REALLY on. If I didn't hit the bull's eye, then he got another shot, and if it hit the bull's eye, he would win. Then Daffyd shot. Then Egill...then me.
I was cocky. I didn't know it, and didn't think I was. Mentally, I was trying to stay humble...but actually, what I did was think that all I had to do was pull the string back, point it at the target, let it go, and the arrow would somehow magically find the bull's eye. I let my concentration go, and it cost me. The arrow landed in the 4 ring. That put me at 20.
But then the Trimarian scored a 4! That put him at 20, which meant I got another shot, too! NOW all I had to do was make it inside the 4 ring! Even easier, right?!
But again, my overconfidence was my undoing. As the arrow popped the target, it practically sounded my death knell. It was a 2. I had 22 points. Which meant the Trimarian got a third shot.
Well, it was too much to hope that he would miss a third time, and he didn't. He scored another 4, which put him at 24. The winning score. Even though we all knew it, Daffyd, Egill and I took our shots anyway. At the final count, the numbers said I had tied the leader, but the rules of the shoot said that whoever got to 24 FIRST won the contest, and since he had shot first, he had done that.
It still hurts. I don't mind losing, as long as I know that those who beat me are my superiors, and yes, this Trimarian was very much the winner of the day. But if I had truly done my best...if I had actually concentrated, and held onto that string another instant, a mere breath of extra thought...the day would have been mine. Of course, everyone who heard about it and knew me gave me their congratulations at coming in second, having bested every other archer in Gleann Abhann, and I am proud of that, at least. This tournament taught me a few things. 1). Never EVER assume that you've got the contest "sewn up" and won. Always concentrate, aim, and shoot to win. 2). I now know for a fact that my skill can match and even sometimes surpass the finest archers not just in the kingdom, but in the Knowne World. Not bad, eh?
Mike, Liza and Billy showed up later that night. I helped them get settled, then we all went to go wandering, mostly ending up going through Merchant's Row, and then the dance revels. There's a revel every night, and I try to dance with as many different people as I can. This year, not only did I find a surplus of partners, but I also made new friends and proved to be rather popular, if I do say so myself! They ended up asking me more often than I asked them!
After that day, War was a mix of moving thrones, wandering, watching battles, eating, playing cards, or dancing. Saturday, it was announced that Drogo of Axbridge was being put on vigil to become a knight. He was at my first event, 7 years and 2 months ago, so I hung around in line for a few hours to give him my congratulations. While I waited, I had a long conversation with a Laurel...about becoming an apprentice.
A Laurel is for arts and sciences what a Knight is for combat, and a Pelican is for service. They are equals, and being asked to be an apprentice is like becoming a squire. We had a long talk about our mutual interests, what we had to learn from each other, and expectations of each other. It was a good talk, and I look forward to whatever lies ahead with my peer.
My friends and I loved the War. On Sunday, as everyone was packing up, they got to meet Uther and Kenna on a very personal level, and I'm very glad they did. Mike, Liza, and Billy are hooked.
Today's the ST. Patty's Day Chase! I'll post about that later. It's so good to be home!
Hi, guys! I'm back! Gulf Wars was, as always, amazing! You pull onto site and you're back in time 800 years!
After I trolled in and said hello to friends I had not seen in a while, I checked in with entourage to let them know I was on site, then went to find a place to camp. I am NEVER coming to War without pre-registering again! The only open camping was all the way at the end of the world, on a slope. Not a bad one, but enough. After that, I parked my car and began to wander, looking for more friends, most of which I found.
This rest of War is one big blur. I was told early on that I had qualified for the Grand Exhibition Tournament, and that made my blood race, let me tell you! The contest was the day after I got there (arrived Wednesday evening) so the next morning, I bit the bullet and dropped $75 for new arrows. The ones I had were good, but they were ash, and I've been wanting something faster, for the sake of accuracy. Then I went to start practicing, after I had taken care of my throne duties.
The bridge battle that day ran way overtime, but that was to be expected. The contest was after it. I was one out of eleven who were competing with handbows (and I'm pretty sure mine was the only longbow, but I can't exactly remember) and there were two crossbow shooters. There were three others shooters from Gleann Abhann, two of whom I knew I could beat. Before the contest started, Her Majesty called us four over and gave us each a token for us to bear in the contest. I also had my lady's favor.
Right away, we could all tell that the one everyone else would have to beat was the man from Trimaris. I held my own, but I was so excited that my heart was pounding, and my head just wasn't in the game. I should have done much better than I did.
After the initial rounds, the scores were tallied, and the top three archers had a shootoff. Another GA archer and I tied for third, there was another GA archer in second, and the Trimarian was first. The shootoff followed as thus: The four of us went to the line to shoot the targets man by man. The first one to reach 24 points won the Tournament. Since the Trimarian had the most points, he got the first shot, then Daffyd, then Egill, then me. After we had all shot 5 arrows, we tallied the scores...and I was in the lead. I had 16 points, the Trimarian had 14, Daffyd had 12, and Egill had 10.
I could win this tournament with my next shot! All I had to do was nail the bull's eye, worth 8 points. The ring outside that was worth 4, and anything outside that was worth 2.
We went back to the line. The Trimarian shot and scored 2. That put him at 16. Now the pressure was REALLY on. If I didn't hit the bull's eye, then he got another shot, and if it hit the bull's eye, he would win. Then Daffyd shot. Then Egill...then me.
I was cocky. I didn't know it, and didn't think I was. Mentally, I was trying to stay humble...but actually, what I did was think that all I had to do was pull the string back, point it at the target, let it go, and the arrow would somehow magically find the bull's eye. I let my concentration go, and it cost me. The arrow landed in the 4 ring. That put me at 20.
But then the Trimarian scored a 4! That put him at 20, which meant I got another shot, too! NOW all I had to do was make it inside the 4 ring! Even easier, right?!
But again, my overconfidence was my undoing. As the arrow popped the target, it practically sounded my death knell. It was a 2. I had 22 points. Which meant the Trimarian got a third shot.
Well, it was too much to hope that he would miss a third time, and he didn't. He scored another 4, which put him at 24. The winning score. Even though we all knew it, Daffyd, Egill and I took our shots anyway. At the final count, the numbers said I had tied the leader, but the rules of the shoot said that whoever got to 24 FIRST won the contest, and since he had shot first, he had done that.
It still hurts. I don't mind losing, as long as I know that those who beat me are my superiors, and yes, this Trimarian was very much the winner of the day. But if I had truly done my best...if I had actually concentrated, and held onto that string another instant, a mere breath of extra thought...the day would have been mine. Of course, everyone who heard about it and knew me gave me their congratulations at coming in second, having bested every other archer in Gleann Abhann, and I am proud of that, at least. This tournament taught me a few things. 1). Never EVER assume that you've got the contest "sewn up" and won. Always concentrate, aim, and shoot to win. 2). I now know for a fact that my skill can match and even sometimes surpass the finest archers not just in the kingdom, but in the Knowne World. Not bad, eh?
Mike, Liza and Billy showed up later that night. I helped them get settled, then we all went to go wandering, mostly ending up going through Merchant's Row, and then the dance revels. There's a revel every night, and I try to dance with as many different people as I can. This year, not only did I find a surplus of partners, but I also made new friends and proved to be rather popular, if I do say so myself! They ended up asking me more often than I asked them!
After that day, War was a mix of moving thrones, wandering, watching battles, eating, playing cards, or dancing. Saturday, it was announced that Drogo of Axbridge was being put on vigil to become a knight. He was at my first event, 7 years and 2 months ago, so I hung around in line for a few hours to give him my congratulations. While I waited, I had a long conversation with a Laurel...about becoming an apprentice.
A Laurel is for arts and sciences what a Knight is for combat, and a Pelican is for service. They are equals, and being asked to be an apprentice is like becoming a squire. We had a long talk about our mutual interests, what we had to learn from each other, and expectations of each other. It was a good talk, and I look forward to whatever lies ahead with my peer.
My friends and I loved the War. On Sunday, as everyone was packing up, they got to meet Uther and Kenna on a very personal level, and I'm very glad they did. Mike, Liza, and Billy are hooked.
Today's the ST. Patty's Day Chase! I'll post about that later. It's so good to be home!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Best Wishes!
Well, I didn't think I'd get the opportunity for a last blog before I leave for GW, but I do! Yay, blogging!
Nothing much has been going on, really. I made the flyers and picked up the costume for my St. Patty's Day shenanigan. I wish I had practiced more for the tournament, but now I'm scared I might not be able to be involved. I keep thinking I may have missed the cutoff date for some sort of registration I didn't know about, or something.
It's going to be busy, once I get there. Check in with entourage, sign up for shifts, set up the tent and garb up. The next day will be entourage and the tournament, and then Billy, Mike and Liza will get there, so that will be interesting. On Friday, Caitlin gets there!
It's been quite a while since I saw her. She lives in Louisiana, and school has kept her away from the SCA recently, but she's been getting back into it, and I look forward to seeing her again. Another one of my little sisters I love so much.
I've never felt this kind of...pressure in the SCA before. There's the tournament, entourage, and being in charge of three newbies that gives me quite the feelings of responsibility. I think it's a good thing. If I can handle it right, it will show me how much I've grown up...and I want to find that out.
C you guys Sunday evening! God bless! Love you all!
Nothing much has been going on, really. I made the flyers and picked up the costume for my St. Patty's Day shenanigan. I wish I had practiced more for the tournament, but now I'm scared I might not be able to be involved. I keep thinking I may have missed the cutoff date for some sort of registration I didn't know about, or something.
It's going to be busy, once I get there. Check in with entourage, sign up for shifts, set up the tent and garb up. The next day will be entourage and the tournament, and then Billy, Mike and Liza will get there, so that will be interesting. On Friday, Caitlin gets there!
It's been quite a while since I saw her. She lives in Louisiana, and school has kept her away from the SCA recently, but she's been getting back into it, and I look forward to seeing her again. Another one of my little sisters I love so much.
I've never felt this kind of...pressure in the SCA before. There's the tournament, entourage, and being in charge of three newbies that gives me quite the feelings of responsibility. I think it's a good thing. If I can handle it right, it will show me how much I've grown up...and I want to find that out.
C you guys Sunday evening! God bless! Love you all!
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Home again, Home again
Ah, it's good to be home! I didn't really know how much I missed it until I met up with Dave and K.C. and we started playing games again, and then Josh joined us! I love my friends, I really, really do.
We stopped for the night in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then got on the road again in the morning by around 9. There wasn't too much trouble until we started running into the traffic jams. Two semis had turned over on the side of the road in two different places, and it held us up a bit, but not by much.
Looking back over the trip, I realize how sad I am about two things: 1. that the trip was meant to be so much more (read my previous journal entries about it) and 2. that I realize how incredibly selfish I was the entire time...well, ok, maybe not all the time, but I could have been a LOT less self-centered. Gonna have to do better next time.
This week's gonna be packed. First church, then lunch, then finish typing a take-home test, then on Monday I've got classes, one of which is a midterm, and after class on Teusday I have to find a leprechaun costume for NEXT Monday (ask me about my St. Patty's Day shenanigan) before TKD class and then bells, and then I leave for Gulf Wars Wednesday! Yay for busy!
We stopped for the night in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and then got on the road again in the morning by around 9. There wasn't too much trouble until we started running into the traffic jams. Two semis had turned over on the side of the road in two different places, and it held us up a bit, but not by much.
Looking back over the trip, I realize how sad I am about two things: 1. that the trip was meant to be so much more (read my previous journal entries about it) and 2. that I realize how incredibly selfish I was the entire time...well, ok, maybe not all the time, but I could have been a LOT less self-centered. Gonna have to do better next time.
This week's gonna be packed. First church, then lunch, then finish typing a take-home test, then on Monday I've got classes, one of which is a midterm, and after class on Teusday I have to find a leprechaun costume for NEXT Monday (ask me about my St. Patty's Day shenanigan) before TKD class and then bells, and then I leave for Gulf Wars Wednesday! Yay for busy!
Friday, March 7, 2008
::sigh:: Peter Pan Syndrome again
Well, it's my last time to post before we leave. I didn't get to post Wednesday, because in Silver City, there is no Internet reception. Sorry, readers.
Joanne is another one of those little sisters I never had. Like Katie and Shelby, or my SCA sisters, Elena and Caitlin. She and I ride together, walk together, talk together, think together, play together, and laugh together. This time, though, the visit was almos cruelly short. The girls had school, so we did not see them until they got home, but once they were home, everything was fun, with talk about blades, games of poker, and much talk and laughter. The next morning, though, Sarah had school, and Joanne got to stay home for the first half of the day, but it wasn't near enough, and then we had to leave early to make it back home to Aunt Sally's for dinner. But dinner was good, too.
We talked a lot about old times. We found a picture that had been taken in January of 1984. I wasn't even a year old, yet. Jesse, Melanie, David and I all reminisced. Almost made me tear up.
Tonight, my brother, cousin Jesse, his girl Allie, and I al had a last hurrah before we leave tomorrow morning, and it was fitting. We're all grown up, now. I'll probably be proposing to my lady next summer, Megan had Danny, and Uncle Dick had Tommy, so they're around the same age (9 or so) and they are the second generation of us. Now Elise has Aiden and Megan has Tyler, and they're around the same age, too (2, maybe?). Life goes full circle, and I guess I cannot let go of the old without tears. They were such happy, happy times. But then, I remember Brad Paisley's song lyrics "Have no fear, these are nowhere near the best years of your life!" Or the old poem "Come, grow old with me, the best is yet to be!"
It's an enormous test, growing up. It tests your trust and faith in God that you can accomplish it, and that He is in control of everything. Here's to passing with flying colors!
Joanne is another one of those little sisters I never had. Like Katie and Shelby, or my SCA sisters, Elena and Caitlin. She and I ride together, walk together, talk together, think together, play together, and laugh together. This time, though, the visit was almos cruelly short. The girls had school, so we did not see them until they got home, but once they were home, everything was fun, with talk about blades, games of poker, and much talk and laughter. The next morning, though, Sarah had school, and Joanne got to stay home for the first half of the day, but it wasn't near enough, and then we had to leave early to make it back home to Aunt Sally's for dinner. But dinner was good, too.
We talked a lot about old times. We found a picture that had been taken in January of 1984. I wasn't even a year old, yet. Jesse, Melanie, David and I all reminisced. Almost made me tear up.
Tonight, my brother, cousin Jesse, his girl Allie, and I al had a last hurrah before we leave tomorrow morning, and it was fitting. We're all grown up, now. I'll probably be proposing to my lady next summer, Megan had Danny, and Uncle Dick had Tommy, so they're around the same age (9 or so) and they are the second generation of us. Now Elise has Aiden and Megan has Tyler, and they're around the same age, too (2, maybe?). Life goes full circle, and I guess I cannot let go of the old without tears. They were such happy, happy times. But then, I remember Brad Paisley's song lyrics "Have no fear, these are nowhere near the best years of your life!" Or the old poem "Come, grow old with me, the best is yet to be!"
It's an enormous test, growing up. It tests your trust and faith in God that you can accomplish it, and that He is in control of everything. Here's to passing with flying colors!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
NM Trip, Journal IV
Finally! A day there's more to post about!
For some strange reason, I woke up pretty early, this morning. Much earlier than usual, that's for sure! I was able to get in a few practice rounds, and did pretty well. I finally broke the bad arrow of my set, so there's nothing to worry about. All my arrows shoot about the same, now. After that, Mom and I drove into town to make a little exchange...
You see, yesterday, I picked up a new toy! My new katana that I bought with the money Evan gave me. I like it a lot. The tsuba (that's Japanese for "guard") is more decorative than my last one, and the blade's nicer. I think I got a pretty good deal out of the whole thing. The problem was that the sword I picked up yesterday came with a slightly bent tip, so we went to replace it today.
After we came back home, I threw my knife for a while, and then it was time to go to Aunt Pat's and ride horses for an hour or so! I wanted to canter, but Pat said it wouldn't be good while the other horses were around, so I didn't get the chance. I might get to tomorrow!
We went to dinner at the house of my cousin Elise and her husband. He has two daughters, and together, they have a two year old son who kept us quite entertained! It was a good night.
Tomorrow, we get to the highlight of the trip, for me! Uncle Dave and Aunt Leesa have two daughters Sarah and Joanne, and Joanne and I love to ride together! Of course, we'll also be playing poker with pennies and talking for hours about blades and steel, and all that sort of thing! Gonna be a great time!
For some strange reason, I woke up pretty early, this morning. Much earlier than usual, that's for sure! I was able to get in a few practice rounds, and did pretty well. I finally broke the bad arrow of my set, so there's nothing to worry about. All my arrows shoot about the same, now. After that, Mom and I drove into town to make a little exchange...
You see, yesterday, I picked up a new toy! My new katana that I bought with the money Evan gave me. I like it a lot. The tsuba (that's Japanese for "guard") is more decorative than my last one, and the blade's nicer. I think I got a pretty good deal out of the whole thing. The problem was that the sword I picked up yesterday came with a slightly bent tip, so we went to replace it today.
After we came back home, I threw my knife for a while, and then it was time to go to Aunt Pat's and ride horses for an hour or so! I wanted to canter, but Pat said it wouldn't be good while the other horses were around, so I didn't get the chance. I might get to tomorrow!
We went to dinner at the house of my cousin Elise and her husband. He has two daughters, and together, they have a two year old son who kept us quite entertained! It was a good night.
Tomorrow, we get to the highlight of the trip, for me! Uncle Dave and Aunt Leesa have two daughters Sarah and Joanne, and Joanne and I love to ride together! Of course, we'll also be playing poker with pennies and talking for hours about blades and steel, and all that sort of thing! Gonna be a great time!
NM trip, Journal III
Well, we were supposed to go riding today...that didn't happen. Instead, we puttered around the house again, though we did get to see cousins with their babies as they stopped by the house! After dinner, David and I et Jesse, who took us to a neat little bar in town, and we just sat and talked, again. Argh! Tomorrow's post WILL be longer, I promise!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
NM trip, Journal II
Not much happening, today. Wake up, wander, throw knife, go eat lunch with the family, come home, get online because it's WAY too windy to shoot, and that's about it. But the conversations are great! I've been talking with a man known in the SCA as Master Erik of Telemark, and he's a great guy. He's been getting really interested in archery, and he's beencoming to me for advice and questions (probably because I'm the only person he knows that does archery and that he sees online at the same time). It's very flattering, and I hope my advice helps him.
I also got a letter from a friend of mine today. She and her husband are in the Army in Korea, and her family...well, is giving her a hard time for some reason she doesn't know. Pray for her, please. She needs all the encouragement she can get.
Sorry about the short post, readers. Tomorrow's should be better, since we might get to go riding.
Speaking of readers! Since I've gotten that handy-dandy little Clickr Map, I've noticed that people are reading my posts in places I don't know anyone! People in Kansas, Texas, Alaska, California and someone up around the Nashville area, too. I'm flattered! Now, if only I could get all these nice people to comment more often...
I also got a letter from a friend of mine today. She and her husband are in the Army in Korea, and her family...well, is giving her a hard time for some reason she doesn't know. Pray for her, please. She needs all the encouragement she can get.
Sorry about the short post, readers. Tomorrow's should be better, since we might get to go riding.
Speaking of readers! Since I've gotten that handy-dandy little Clickr Map, I've noticed that people are reading my posts in places I don't know anyone! People in Kansas, Texas, Alaska, California and someone up around the Nashville area, too. I'm flattered! Now, if only I could get all these nice people to comment more often...
NM trip, Journal I
Hello, readers, from the Land of Enchantment! I woke early Friday morning, packed, went to class, came home, and we left! We drove nine and a half hours before finally stopping in Elk City, Oklahoma for the night, and the next day, we drove another nine hours and got here around 5:30 for a grand total of about 18 or 19 hours of driving. It wasn't too bad. I finished reading my book (I just KNEW I should have brought the sequels) and slept, so it went pretty fast, if a bit uncomfy.
Once we got here, I shot a few shots around the backyard and went to see cousins next door, then dinner, then my brother and I went over to Jesse's house and met his roommates and girlfriend. It was a good time, just sitting there talking about things. Hope to do more in the days ahead!
Once we got here, I shot a few shots around the backyard and went to see cousins next door, then dinner, then my brother and I went over to Jesse's house and met his roommates and girlfriend. It was a good time, just sitting there talking about things. Hope to do more in the days ahead!
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